In a significant relief to producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) as well as plastic waste processors (PWPs), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has announced an extension in the deadline for filing their annual returns for the year 2024–2025. The revised deadline is now set for July 31, 2025.

The Ministry issued an official memorandum on June 27, 2025, granting this extension as a one-time special case. The decision was made in response to an email from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) dated May 29, 2025, which highlighted practical difficulties being faced by PIBOs and PWPs in filing their returns on time.

According to the memorandum signed by Amit Raj, Director, Hazardous Substances Management Division, the extension aims to facilitate compliance while maintaining the integrity of the environmental management system for plastic waste. The Ministry emphasized that the proper and environmentally sound management of plastic packaging waste remains a top priority under the Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023.

The memorandum further noted that proper implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines helps reduce pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic packaging waste.

This extension has been approved by the competent authority and is expected to benefit numerous stakeholders engaged in plastic packaging, processing, and recycling operations across the country.

Stakeholders such as PIBOs and PWPs are advised to utilize this extended timeline responsibly and ensure timely filing by July 31, 2025.